How To Order: Quantity options listed represent bulk weights. Examples: 1 = 1 lbs, 25 = 25 bs.
 
 
Common Name: Blue Flax
Scientific Name: Linum perenne
Native / Introduced: Introduced
Main Uses:
~Beautification projects
~As a pollinator
~Wildlife habitat improvement
~Disturbed land restoration
Height: 1-2 feet
Colors: Blue
Flowering Season: Late Spring
Elevation: Up to 9,000 ft
Soil Types: Best on well-drained, porous/rich soils
Tolerances:
~Moderate alkali, weak acid and salt
~Cold and drought
Sun or Shade: Full sun to partial shade
Minimum Precipitation: 10 inches
Lifecycle: Perennial
Planting Seed Rate: 4 lbs/ac
Estimated Seeds Per Pound: 285,000
Optimal Planting Season: Spring and fall
Planting Depth: 1/8 - 1/4 in.
Stratification Required: None 
 
 
Full Description
Blue Flax is a perennial, semi-evergreen forb that blooms late spring with star-shaped blue flowers and its blue-green leaves are narrow and pointed. It is native to Europe and parts of Asia and has been naturalized in US. Adapted to central and western US. Blue Flax does best on well drained porous soils from low to sub-alpine elevations. The wildflower is tolerant to moderately alkali and weak acid and salty soils and is intolerant to poor drainage and high water tables. 
 
Blue Flax is a great choice for gardens, wildflower meadows and erosion control, beautification projects, range and wildlife habitat improvement and revegetation of disturbed sites. It is low maintenance and some-what drought tolerant. This wildflower attracts bees and butterflies due to its prolonged flowering period and provides palatable forage in spring, late fall and winter. 
 
Blue Flax (Linum perenne) is not to be confused with Lewis Blue Flax (Linum lewisii). Although they are similar, they are in fact different species and are native to different regions of the world. Additionally, Blue Flax may be more tolerant of a wider range of soil and climatic conditions than Linum lewisii. However, both plants are excellent choices for a wide variety of project needs.
 
Resources:
NRCS Plant Profile: https://plants.usda.gov/home/plantProfile?symbol=LIPE2
NRCS Plant Guide: https://plants.usda.gov/DocumentLibrary/plantguide/pdf/pg_lipe2.pdf
NRCS Plant Fact Sheet: https://plants.usda.gov/DocumentLibrary/factsheet/pdf/fs_lipe2.pdf
Additional Resources: https://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=lilel2
 
Photo Credit: Alvin Kho and Oli Bac